Chen Botong, Li Shuohan, Cheng Xi, Geng Wanzhuo, Cheng Zhimin, Zhang Ke, Ma Chenglin, Challioui Mohammed Kamal, Aayadi Soufiane El, Guo Yulong, Wang Yangyang, Wang Dandan, Tian Weihua, Li Hong, Liu Xiaojun
College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; Department of Animal Production and Biotechnology, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, BP, 6202, Rabat, Morocco.
Poult Sci. 2025 Feb;104(2):104794. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.104794. Epub 2025 Jan 9.
The transglutaminase (TGMs) family plays a crucial role in regulating mammalian reproduction, yet its impact on poultry reproductive traits has not been extensively studied. In this study, we identified eight members of the TGMs family in chickens and examined the contributions of genetic variations of coagulation factor XIII A chain (F13A1), transglutaminase 4 (TGM4), and LOC101749664 to selective breeding in commercial layers through genetic variation response pattern analysis. Transcriptome data from various tissues of high- and low-egg-yielding Gushi chickens revealed significant positive correlations between the mRNA expression levels of TGM4 and F13A1 genes and egg production (P < 0.05). Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis showed that 26 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within genomic sequences of TGM4 and F13A1 genes exhibited significant associations with egg production traits across different laying periods. Additionally, spatiotemporal expression patterns of TGM4 in ovarian follicles between high- and low-laying chicken breeds determined by RT-qPCR highlighted the pivotal role of TGM4 in follicle development. Functionally, the gain-of-function assay demonstrated that TGM4 promoted granulosa cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and enhanced progesterone synthesis. In conclusion, this is the first study to elucidate the role of the TGMs gene family in regulating egg production in chickens, offering new insights for the selective breeding of layers with improved egg-laying traits.
转谷氨酰胺酶（TGMs）家族在调节哺乳动物繁殖中起着关键作用，但其对家禽繁殖性状的影响尚未得到广泛研究。在本研究中，我们鉴定了鸡的TGMs家族的八个成员，并通过遗传变异反应模式分析，研究了凝血因子XIII A链（F13A1）、转谷氨酰胺酶4（TGM4）和LOC101749664的遗传变异对商业蛋鸡选择性育种的贡献。高产和低产固始鸡各组织的转录组数据显示，TGM4和F13A1基因的mRNA表达水平与产蛋量之间存在显著正相关（P < 0.05）。基因型-表型相关性分析表明，TGM4和F13A1基因基因组序列中的26个单核苷酸多态性（SNP）与不同产蛋期的产蛋性状显著相关。此外，通过RT-qPCR测定的高产和低产鸡品种卵巢卵泡中TGM4的时空表达模式突出了TGM4在卵泡发育中的关键作用。在功能上，功能获得试验表明，TGM4促进颗粒细胞增殖，抑制细胞凋亡，并增强孕酮合成。总之，这是首次阐明TGMs基因家族在调节鸡产蛋中作用的研究，为选育产蛋性状优良的蛋鸡提供了新的见解。
